Getting the snip can boost a man’s sex life and help erection troubles, study finds

GETTING the snip boosts a man’s sex life, researchers say.

Middle-aged men were found to be more active and satisfied in the bedroom after a vasectomy.

They were less likely to have a low sex drive or trouble getting an erection than those who had not had the procedure.

The findings are from a study of 5,425 men in their 50s in Germany.

About 13 per cent had been sterilised.

Of those who had the snip, 93 per cent had had sex in the past three months — against 83 per cent who had not gone under the knife.

Complaints about poor sex drive were lower, at five per cent compared with seven.

So were rates of erectile dysfunction — 12 per cent versus 20 per cent.

Dr Matthias Jahnen, from the Technical University of Munich, said: “Our results show the fear of sexual dysfunction and the decline of one’s sex life following a vasectomy is unjustified.”

Almost 23,000 men had the procedure on the NHS in England last year.

The NHS says pain is common for about a week after the operation but adds: “There is no evidence that having a vasectomy affects long-term sexual performance or enjoyment.”

Writing in the journal Andrology, Dr Jahnen added: “These findings suggest a vasectomy is not a danger to a man’s capacity to achieve and maintain an erection but may even be beneficial.

“Removing the fear of an unwanted pregnancy might free up men and reduce psychologically induced erectile dysfunction.

"It might lead to an improved sex life for both partners as intercourse with a condom might be less enjoyable.

“Taken together, this might subconsciously reassure men of their sexual ability.”